Glass. 



/.--- 



8E]\T]\ri]\faT0]\f: 



The Battles, 1777. 



Centennial Celebration, 1877. 



A PAPER 

Read before The Worcester Society of Antiquity, at its Regular 
Monthly Meeting, December 4, 1877, 

By REV. ALBERT TYLER. 

11 

WITH COPIOUS NOTES. 



WORCESTER : 
Tyler & Seagrave, Printers. 
1878. 



\ 



INTRODUCTORY 



The following paper was prepared for and read at a meeting of 
the Worcester Society of Antiquity. The purpofe of the wri- 
ter was, to embodv in a brief fpace the account of the battle and the 
account of the celebration of its hundredth anniverfary, with fuch 
other matter as would be appropriately defcriptive of men and things 
concerning thefe events, both of the pall and the prefent. So much 
has been publilhed in the current publications of the times, which 
claims to be fad but which feems to be unauthoritative, that the bell 
endeavor to clear the probable from the improbable may have failed 
in its defign. The paper had for one of its objefts the gathering up 
in a conneclve form for prefervation, of a lift of places and relics 
identified with the battle, and the hope is that it is nearly complete. 
Acknowledgment is due the Springfield Republican, the Bennington 
Banner, Geo. W. Robinfon, Esq., and Rev. R. M. Luther of Ben- 
nington, and very many members of the Society of Antiquity who 
have manifelled a friendly interell in the paper, for much valuable 
help in the undertaking. The many Notes have been added as the 
printing has progrefled. The printing is after a (lyle of its own in 
the relation of text and notes upon oppofite pages, and in the llyle 
in fome other refpefts of the ancient days. With all its purpofes 
and defigns, fulfilled or unfulfilled as they may be, the work is fub- 
mitted to the readers of the very limited edition printed, in the hope 
it mav fill a phice among the records of the hillorical pall. 



I 




Battle of © en 11 ii| gt 01 1 

CENTENNIAL. 




E are living in the Centennial aoe of 
our national exiftence. One hundred 
years ago our anceftors were in the 
midft of that lonsj and fearful contefl 
'in which life and liberty battled with 
tyranny and flavery ; from which conteft, wafteful 
and bloody as it proved to be, emerged the fair and 
comely proportions of a New Republic. It was a 
time that ''tried men's fouls " indeed, as the com- 
mon language of the years has cxpreffed the fenti- 
ment — for it was not only a time of breaking away 
from political ties and affociations that had long 
exifted, but alfo the breaking up of focial affinities, 
and the fevering of fraternal and kindred relation- 
fhips, never more to be harmonioufly re-united. 
Thefe were the natural confequences of honeft dif- 
ferences of opinion, no doubt, — but ftill confequen- 
ces which reached to the profoundeft depths of 



i 



4 



feeling, and ftirred the foul with a torture more 
poignant, even, than if refulting from other and 
bafer causes. So. whether the fentiment of honor 
or the contrary emotion, placed friends and neigh- 
bors and kindred on the one fide or the other of 
the line that divided the loyal from the difloyal, the 
trial of foul on the one or the contrary part muft 
have been equally fevere. 

The fympathies of to-day, however, go out only 
towards the heroic fighters, the unfelfifh patriots 
and heroes, the patient fufferers, in field and hofpi- 
tal and prifon-ship, who reprefented then the fenti- 
ments that have become univerfal in the prefent. 
We glory in their fucceifes and mourn over their 
difafters, for while in fpirit we have fhared their vic- 
tories and defeats, we have in reality entered into 
their labors and enjoyed the refults to which thefe 
have attained in a century of development. The 
New Republic which they founded, with barely co- 
hefion to hold its feparate States in unity, its power 
hardly recognized a hundred miles inland from nav- 
igable waters, without commerce or manufactures, 
endured rather than refpected among the world's 
nationalities, — is now reckoned among the Great 
Powers of the Earth, is a leader in the arts and 
ways of human progreffion, ftretches her hand of 
power from fea to fea, fends her (hips into every 
ocean laden with the results of her commercial and 
manufacturing induftries, and succefsfully competes 
with the oldeft and moft favored nations in the mar- 
kets of the world ! The wildeft dreams of the 
fathers never pictured fuch a future as this ! 



NOTES 



— o — 

The Map of the battle-fields of Bennington on the preceding leaf, 
is not intended to be precife as regards meafurement of diftances. It 
is prepared from ;he ordinary type and rules of a printing office by 
the author, and is only defigned to give an idea of the general fitua- 
tion of things a hundred years ago". In that part which reprefents 
Bennington Village, there is only the purpofe to represent a fettle- 
ment without reference to particular houfes, other than thofe indicat- 
ed by efpecial mention. 

Bennington was named in honor of Gov. Benning Wentvvorth, 
by whom the town was chartered January 3d, 1749. The firft fet- 
tlement was made in 1761. Wentvvorth was the Royal Governor of 
New-hampfhire. 

The fight at Hubbardton was between Burgoyne's advance under 
Gen. Frazer, and the rear guard of St. Clair's army under Colonels 
W arner and Francis. The Americans numbered about 700 men, 
and loft in the combat Col. Francis and 324 killed, wounded and 
prifoners. St. Clair commanded at Ticonderoga, and it was upon 
his hafty, and as many thought cowardly, evacuation of that celebrated 
fortrefs that this difafter occurred. 

Col. Warner was fecond in command in the Battles of Benning- 
ton. He was on the ground in advance of his regiment, which 
fo opportunely arrived to fecure the fecond viftory. This regiment 
belonged to the regular Continental fervice, and was recruited from 
Maftachusetts, New-hampfhire and Vermont. We have called it a 
New-hamfhire regiment becaufe it was ftationed at Manchefter, N.H. 
and marched to Stark's afliftance from that place. 



5 



Neverthelefs, whether they faw or did not fee 
thefe refults, they have been and are the indications 
of that growth which their work and deeds began 
a hundred years ago. So we celebrate their event- 
ful achievements in thefe Centennial Days ! Con- 
cord and Lexington and Bunker Hill received their 
ovation in 1875 — the Evacuation of Bofton, the 
immortal Declaration of Independence, the victory 
at Trenton, in 1876 — and in this Year of Grace, 
1877, comes the hundredth anniverfary of that great 
triumph at Bennington, which ftartled the world 
into the belief that the caufe of the American Col- 
onies muft inevitably triumph. 

000 

THE BATTLE. 

The Bennington Battle, in the opinion of every 
writer who has confidered the courfe of events that 
had preceded it, was the turning point of the war. 
For, though the American arms had had a meafure 
of succefs, the fubftantial refults of fuccefs feemed 
to remain with the enemy. During the few months 
that followed the commencement of Burgoyne's 
campaign, up to the time of this expedition to take 
poffeffion of the ftores at Bennington, there had 
been a fteady train of difafters, the laft of which 
had been the overwhelming defeat of the patriots 
at Hubbardton, the month previous, where the flow- 
er of Col. Warner's New Hampfhire regiment had 
fallen in the attempt to stay the progrefs of the in- 
vading force. 



NOTES 



— o — 

Burgoyne's army confilted of 3724 Britifh Regulars, rank and file, 
about 4000 HelTians, 250 Canadians, 473 artillery-men, 400 indian>, 
befides feveral companies of tories recruited on the march. 1000 
indians joined him at Skeenelboro. His force numbered, at the pe- 
riod the detachment was fent to Bennington, over 10,000 men. Of 
the above, 8000 were the bell difciplined troops ever put in the field 
by Great Britain, and having the molt Iplendid and numerous park 
of bronze artillery ever seen in America. 

Gen. Schuyler, who commanded the Americans, had 2500 conti- 
nentals, and less than 1000 militia, almolt wholly without bayonets, 
to oppofe the invafion. 



o 



Steadily Gen. Burgoyne purfued his own plans, 
having one of the fineft and beft difciplined armies 
that had ever taken the field on the American con- 
tinent to execute his purpofes. After arduous and 
wafting labors, which had reduced the ftamina of a 
foldiery unaccuftomed to the difficulties and hard- 
fhips of a country comparatively a wildernefs, Bur- 
goyne had fuccefsfully reached Fort Edward, which 
had been abandoned by the Americans, and for a 
brief period bufied himfelf with the attempt to bet. 
ter the condition of his army. For, in the long 
march and occafional combat, his horfes had given 
out, his cavalry had to a great extent been difmount- 
ed, his provifions began to fail, and the condition of 
things feemed to require an effort to improve them, 
before flartinsf on the final and "rand march which 
was to unite his force with that of Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, then, as he believed him to be, on the way from 
New York. After the union of the two armies, 
and the Colonies divided in twain by the Hudfon 
river as the refult of that union, and New England 
feparated from the central and fouthern members 
of the confederacy, it would become a comparative- 
ly eafy tafk to conquer the difconnecled parts, and 
bring the rebel colonies again into fubjection to the 
crown. 

Sir Henry Clinton did not perform the part de- 
figned for him "in this plan, but marched his troops 
fouthward in a vain attempt to entrap and defeat 
the army of Wafhington. Why he did not co-op- 
erate with the army of Burgoyne was a mystery. 
A few years later the providential reafon was difcov- 



NOTES 



The ltory of Lord G . Germaine's neglect to lend the deipatches, 
is told in leveral "ways, but the gift of them all is the narrative in the 

text. 

Glick, one of the German officers who accompanied Burgovne, 
Jays, — " I have called it a defert country, not only with reference 
co its natural llerility, and heaven knows it was fterile enough, but 
becaufe of the pains which were taken, and unfortunately with too 
great fuccefs, to fweep its few cultivated fpots of all articles likely to 
benefit the invaders." 



7 



ered. He had not been informed of the plan, and 
ordered to take part in the movement ! It feems 
his inftmctions and orders were all prepared by the 
Britifh minifter, but went into the pigeon hole of 
the minifter's defk inftead of by fea to him for whom 
they were intended ; where they remained, forgotton 
but fuppofed to have been fent away, until discover- 
ed under the miniftry of a fucceeding adminiftra- 
tion. Burgoyne was thus left, like a half-pair of 
fhears, to cut his way as beft he might to that fub- 
ftantial and final fuccefs for which he took the field. 

It had been the policy of the American General 
to obftrucl the progrefs of the enemy he could not 
fuccefsfully oppose with the force under his com- 
mand, by every available means. In furtherance of 
which, the country was gleaned of provifions and 
the growing and then ripening crops of the farmers 
were deftroyed before the march of the invading 
army ; bridges were broken down, the roads were 
made as nearly impaffible as poffible, and in every 
conceivable way the advance was obftructed, while 
the frontier militia hung like a cloud upon the fkirts 
of the enemy, cutting off fupplies and capturing all 
foraging parties not sufficiently strong to make a 
fuccefsful refiftance. So, having reached Fort Ed- 
ward, the Britifh commander wifely halted until his 
war material had been fafely brought together ; and 
while waiting," fitted out the expedition under Col. 
Baum. to capture the extenfive ftores of provifions 
and munitions which the Colonial authorities had 
gathered at Bennington, for the ufe of the troops 
called to the front from the New England colonies. 



NOTES 



The detachment lent upon the expedition by Burgoyne, numbered 
nearly or quite iooo men of various arms. It is exceedingly diffi- 
cult to afcertain with certainty the exact number. Jofhua Bell, one 
oi Burgovne's officers, in a portion of his diarv juft publifhed, puts 
Baum's force at " about 550 men." Burgoyne's report to the Britifti 
miniltry gives the fame number. But Stark captured 750 priloners, 
and killed 207, in the two actions, molt of whom were taken or kill- 
ed in the firit fight. No authority we have confulted puts the pris- 
oners of the 2nd battle at more than 100 — night favoring the efcape 
of moil of the enemy. This would leave 650 priloners, and the 
uuiians who Hed at the beginning of the firit battle, lome fifty dra- 
goons and challeurs who efcaped, and the large number killed, as the 
fqrce of Baum. It mult have numbered, as we have itated, nearly 
sooo men. Breyman had 644 Germans, according to the German 
returns, and lome irregulars, as tories and indians. 

The American forces in both battles, as calculated from the belt 
authorities, was about 2500 men, and thefe nearly all irregulars. 
General Stark had promifed the fpoil of the enemy to the victors, 
and this fpoil was divided between a little lefs than 2500 claimants. 



8 



This expedition marched on the 12th of August, 
capturing a fmall party of Americans, with horfes, 
wagons, carts, seventy-eight barrels of flour, a thou- 
fand bushels of wheat and twenty barrels of fait, 

J 7 

at a grift-mill in Cambridge, on the 14th; and while 
purfuing a reconnoitering party under Col. Gregg, 
which flowly retreated before it, suddenly found it- 
self confronted by a refpectable force under Gen. 
Stark. Col. Baum was a good foldier, and was not 
to be furprifed into a difadvatageous conflict, for he 
had learned from his prifoners that the force at 
Bennington was numerically fuperior to his own. 
So halting on a hill that commanded the valley 
through which he might expect his enemy to ap- 
proach, be began fortifying his position, and fent 
back for reinforcements. Before he could fafely 
eftablifh himfelf in his pofition, he loft some thirty 
men in killed and wounded, without being able to 
inflict any damage upon the oppofing foe. The 
Americans withdrew a couple of miles, where they 
encamped for the night, defigning to attack the 
fortifications early on the coming morning. 

This was the 15th of Auguft, and the morning 
opened with a deluge of rain which continued 
through the day. To attack under such aufpices 
was regarded as neither prudent nor defirable. 
And fo while Colonel Baum and his Heffians ex- 
haufted their ftren^th in continued labor at the 
fortifications, amid the pouring rain and without 
refrefhing fleep, the Americans refted and prepared 
for the combat that was to be when the rain fhould 
ceafe and the fun again fhould fhine down upon 



NOTES 



Murder of Miss Jane McCrea. 

The murder ol Mils Jane McCrea, by the Indian followers of 
Burgovne's army, was one of the incidentals that moved fo powerful- 
ly upon the fympathies of the American troops, and infuled into 
their hearts the determination that made them viclors. The gen- 
erally received hiftory of the tranfaction, is, that this eilimable voung 
lady was engaged to a tory officer named Jones, who, fearing the 
lawleffnefs of the indian allies of the Britifh army, fent iwo Chiefs 
who had control over them, to condudl; her to the camp where fhe 
would find fafety with her friends. While on the way thefe two 
Indians quarrelled concerning the reward to be received for the fer- 
vice ; and one of them, to prevent the other from fharing it, killed 
Mifs McCrea with his tomahawk, fcalped her, and left her body to 
the bealls and birds of prey, where it was fubfequently found bv her 
brother and tenderly buried. A prifoner of the Indians, named Spal- 
ding, gives us another account of the affair. He fays fhe was (hot 
by one of the favages, the other taking her fcalp, and he faw the 
deed done. The indians declared that they were purfued by a de- 
tachment of Americans from Fort Edward, who fired upon them, 
unfortunately killing Mils McCrea; that fhe being dead, and her 
fcalp an uncommonly fine one, they took it, as something valuable to 
themfelves as well as evidence of their faithful attempt to fulfil their 
engagement. However the manner of her death, the whole countrv 
was aroufed, and out of this individual martvrdom came fuccefs and 
victory. 

Mifs McCrea was buried where fhe fell, and her remains relied in . 
her comparatively obfcure grave until about 1829, when the people 
of Fort Edward removed them to their public burial ground, and 
erected over them a luitable monument with appropriate public 
iervices. 

What became of Capt. Jones (who had railed a company of tories 
tor Burgoyne,) we have no efpecial knowledge ; but we find that a 
Capt. Jones of the Britifh army fell in one of the battles near Sara- 
toga which refulted in Burgoyne's furrender. It is more than proba- 
ble that he was the man, and fo death verv foon united the lovers in 
the land of fpirits. 



9 



them. And all the while of this compulfory wait- 
ing, their numbers augmented, troop after troop 
coming in from every point of the compafs and de- 
manding to be led againfl the enemy. In this year 
of grace, 1877, it is difficult to underftand how this 
rapid and early coming of organized companies 
could poffibly have been, — how the call could go out, 
the men fcattered over the fparfely fettled country 
could be gathered into companies and marched to 
the front in fuch almofl incredibly brief periods of 
time ! Thefe days of telegraph and railroad would 
hardly exceed thofe clays of horfe-exprefs and a 
march on foot through rain and mire, in rapidity of 
refponfe. 

But then, we muft remember the tremendous mo- 
tives that moved men in thofe two days of peril. 
The Heffians, and the Indians who fpared neither 
age nor fex, were at their doors. The murder of 
the unfortunate and beautiful Mifs McCrea had juft 
tranfpired, and every drop of patriotic blood liter- 
ally boiled in the veins of the frontier fettlers, and 
quickened the ftep of the moft diftant foldier march- 
ing to the refcue. It was life or death to thofe as 
dear as life, that put vigor in the ftep and determin- 
ation in the hearts of the gathering hofts. They 
came to fight, and they meant to fight and conquer, 
— they meant to fave their homes from the devalua- 
tion of the Heffian foldiery, and their loved ones 
from the fcalping knife of the mercilefs favage. 
With fuch incentives, who can wonder at the diftant 
alarm, the long and fpeedy march, the hand-to-hand 
and face-to-face encounter, and the refulting fuccefs. 



NOTES 



— o — 




All pi&ures of Mil's McCrea mull of courfe be fancy (ketches, as 
there is nothing extant other than a word difcription of her appear- 
ance, by which we learn that Ihe was a young lady " fair to look 
upon, with a luxuriant growth of long dark hair hanging in ringlets 
down her neck." The above pifture anlwers this dilcription, and 
is probably as reliable as any. 

Lofling, the hiltorian, says that Jones and his brother deierted the 
army of Burgoyne and fled to Canada, where he led the life of a re- 
clule until 1848, when he died at a great age. Of courfe Lolling 
does not know, but gives his opinion from gathered rumors or re- 
ports he deems worthy of credence. If it be a fact that Jones de- 
ierted the Britilh army, it feems lingular that he fhould flee to Cana- 
da, where he would be arretted and (hot without mercy, if known. 
Lolling mull be miftaken. 



Lt. Col. Rofliter commanded the central and fouthern Berkfhire 
militia, of which the "original fighting Parson," Rev. Thomas Allen 
of Pittsfield was Chaplain. The Parlon rode in his fulky, which 
he thereby transformed into a veritable " Chariot of War !" 



IO 

The real victory was won before a blow was ftruck 
or a mufket difcharored ! 

The morning of the 16th, a day to be ever mem- 
orable in the annals of American hiftory, came at 
laft. No fairer funfhine ever baptifed the earth 
than poured its warmth and brightnefs upon the 
dripping fields of Bennington that Auguft morn- 
ing. No hoft on the eve of battle ever welcomed 
with greater joy the day of combat, than did thefe 
New England farmers, who that day were to reap 
in a field they had not fown, and gather a harveft 
they had not planted. There were Stark and War- 
ner and Williams and Stickney and Herrick and 
Hubbard and Nichols and Brum and Simons, and 
Parfon Allen, grim old warriers whofe names were 
houfehold words in the homes of the people and 
upon the frontiers where danger threatened. There 
were the New-hampfhire volunteers, the men of old 
Berkfhire and the Green Mountain boys ! There 
patriotic age, determined manhood and fturdy youth 
had gathered, like eagles, to fwoop down upon the 
devoted invader as upon a lawful prey already "giv- 
en into their hands." And the work of preparation 
went on as the hours paffed away — the dampened 
powder was carefully dried, the wet firelock was 
cleaned and prepared for the work it was to do, 
— priming-wire and brufh, articles little known to 
our modern warriors, were brought into requifition, 
— flints were frefhly picked, — rations were dealt out 
to the men and duly difpofed of, — and all was 
ready ! Then came the roll of the drum, the falling 
into line, the breaking into platoons, and the order 



NOTES, 




The Bennington vi&ory was the firit fuccefs of the American arms 
under the new battle flag which had been adopted by Congrefs on 
the i^jh of July previous. Then it had 13 liars and 13 ftripes — 
now it has 13 ftripes and a ftar for each State in the Union. 

The celebrated fpeech of General Stark, has as many verfions as 
there have been writers upon the fubject of the eventful battle. — 
Some have reprefented it as having been delivered on horfeback, 
some from the elevation of a rail-fence, and fome think from nei- 
ther. It don't matter where from fo much as what was then laid by 
him ; and exaftly this is in doubt. Perhaps no man of all who 
heard him could recall his exact language — and very likely he himfelf 
could not do fo. The general idea pervades all the verfions, and that 
appears in the text. 

Gen. Stark, in his account of the battle, fays — " it was the hottelt 
I ever faw in my life — it feemed like one continuous clap of thun- 
der !" In the charge over the breaftworks, fays Prefldent Bartlett, 
" gigantic John McNeil ftrikes down four Heffians with his gun !" 
His deeds were but an illuftration of the defperate onlet and deter- 
mination of the alTailing force. The aftailed loft 207 killed — the 
aflailants had 30 killed and 40 wounded. 



1 1 

to march ! " Now, Boys, there is the enemy ! W e 
must Whip them ! or to-night Molly Stark 's a 
Widow /" 

Then Nichols and Herrick filed to the right 
and left, and filent as the fteps of the hunter, fped 
fwiftly through unfeen paths to join in a determined 
attack upon the rear of the Heffian encampment. 
Cols. Hubbard and Stickney made a demonftration 
upon the Tory outpofts, and Stark with his referves 
kept up a marching and a counter-marching " to 
amufe the Germans " in front. Very foon the rattle 
of mufketry announced that Herrick and Nichols 
were at work in the enemy's rear, — and very foon 
after the whole force, in conformity with the plan of 
battle, was hurled upon the foe. They affailed that 
fortified camp like mad-men, — they rufhed upon the 
ferried ranks of thofe hireling Germans perfectly 
regardlefs of perfonal peril, and in the hand-to-hand 
encounter, fought, as Col Baum expreffed it, " like 
devils !" They conquered ; and the vanquiflied col- 
umn that had purpofed to plunder Bennington, was 
marched to that place as prifoners of war. 

Hardly had the victorious Americans begun to 
realize the fullness of their victory, when a new 
danger arofe. The reinforcements Baum had wait- 
ed for were coming, juft too late to help their com- 
rades, but early enough to fight and win a new 
battle. The forces of Stark had fcattered for reft 
and refrefhment, and to gather up the plunder of 
the enemy's camp, when the news of their approach 
was received. Many of the men, it is faid, had too 
freely refrefhed themfelves with the enemy's liquors 



NOTES 



— o — 

Many ot the hiitories of" the fecond fight reprelent it as having 
taken place on the fame ground as the firft — that while the Americans 
were fcattered after plunder, Brevman came up and attacked them on 
the hill, and that the prifoners taken in the firit fight turned upon 
their captors and added their prowefs to the ftrength of the alTailing 
enemy. (See Headley's life of Stark in " Walhington and his Gen- 
erals.") This is all a miftake, the mile or mile and a half interven- 
ing making all the difference in the world in the refult of the fecond 
engagement. Had Breyman attacked the entrenchments under the 
conditions reprefented — of a furprise to the fcattered and inebriated 
viftors — the hiflory of the affair would have been, beyond a doubt, 
that of a difaftrous defeat of the Americans, the lofs of Bennington 
and the flores there accumulated, and the poflible and probable tri- 
umphant march of Burgoyne to Albany. 

Col. Baum and Major Pheifter were carried to a houie a mile tow- 
ards Bennington, where, notwithftanding the befl care that could be 
rendered them, they died a few hours after the battle. Maj. Pheiiler 
was a tory from Hoofic, and commanded the torv volunteers under 
Baum. 

Col. Brewnan was killed soon after his elcape from Stark, in one 
of the battles that preceded Burgoyne's furrender. 

The Heflian prifoners were joined to the prifoners taken at Bur- 
goyne's furrender, and were cared for by the Continental authorities. 
The Torys were treated more feverely — were tied together, two-and- 
two, and attached to a long rope, and thus ignominioufly marched to 
Bennington. The Committee of Safety long found them an anxiety 
and a burthen, and they were kept under the llridtefl. furveillance. 
Some were guarded, fome confined to their farms, and fome were 
fent to the Simfbury mines, then the State Prifon of Connecticut, from 
which they efcaped by rifing on the guard, difarming them, and with 
the captured weapons at moulder, marching away in triumph to be 
heard of no more. < 



12 



— but the new peril brought them to fobriety ; the 
lines were haftily formed, and as faft as formed 
marched to meet the approaching enemy ; and Col. 
Breyman who commanded the coming array of 
Heffians found himfelf confronted by a line of bat- 
tle sufficiently ftrong to flay his progrefs. The 
diftance from the place of the firft fight was fome- 
where about a mile or a mile and a half, and the 
Americans came up and attacked in detachments, 
as they had haftily formed and hurried forward ; the 
enemy fought in compact array, and his folid front 
moved fteadily on the difintegrated attacking force, 
compelling it to give ground before his advance. 
It was the opportune arrival, at this juncture, of 
the New-hampfhire troops of Col. Warner's regi- 
ment under command of Lt. Col. Safford, that plac- 
ed the refult of the fecond fight beyond a doubt ; 
and ere the fun went down on that bright and glo- 
rious day, the enemy were driven, fcattered, beaten, 
utterly vanquifhed, and only darknefs prevented 
their capture or annihilation. 

Confidering all things, the American lofs was 
fmall, "about 30 killed and 40 wounded." The 
Britifh lofs was " 5 pieces of brafs cannon, 100 ftand 
of arms, 300 Heffian fwords, eight brafs drums, 750 
prifoners, 207 killed on the fpot, number of wound- 
ed unknown." Among the wounded was Colonel 
Baum, who. died in a few hours after the battle. 

The remits of this victory are not to be calcu- 
lated by the number of men and amount of material 
captured. They were more far-reaching than this. 
The intelligence fpread through the country as by 



x 3 



the winds of heaven. Defpondency changed to 
gladnefs, and the cloud of gloom which hung over 
the land was lifted. It needed not a prophet's 
tongue or pen to foretell, in the light of this achiev- 
ment, the certain fate of Gen Burgoyne and his 
whole invading army. It fuccombed at an early day 
to the inevitable, and the peril of the country paffed 
away forever ! 

THE CENTENNIAL. 

A hundred years have come and gone fince this 
ftirring campaign and this glorious victory; and on 
the 16th of Auguft, 1877, the descendants of thofe 
who then fought and conquered, gathered amid the 
old places to celebrate the event — descendants not 
of blood but of inheritance, though descendants by 
blood were not wanting. Of courfe Vermont, her 
Governor and Legiflature, her Judges and Con- 
greffmen and diftinguifhed citizens, her war-veterans 
and her military forces were there — for fhe celebrat- 
ed on the preceding day the Centennial of her 
State organization. The Governor and Legiflature, 
civil authority and military of New-hampfhire came, 
as grim John Stark came a century before, to aid 
and affift in the undertaking. The Executive, the 
Legiflative and the Judicial reprefentatives of Mas- 
fachufetts,. her Congreffmen and her representative 
citizens, alfo made the pilgrimage, efcorted by the 
moft honored of her citizen Soldiery, and over the 
line of march purSued by old Parfon Allen and the 
fighting men of Berkfhire a hundred years before. 



1 



NOTES 



— o — 

The Map'on the preceding leaf was printed from the gelatine of the 
photo-electrotype procefs. It was found among the fpecimens in 
the hands of a curiofity hunter at Worcefter, and it is not known to 
whofe enterprife it is to be credited. It mows a plan of the Village 
of Bennington, with an enlarged view of the Centennial Grounds 
by its fide. Revolutionary Bennington is feen as occupying but a 
imall fpace at the top of the map, and No. I is the Waloomfac 
Houfe which was kept by Capt. Dewey in 1777, and which was the 
fcene of the Prefidential reception in 1877; No. 2 is the fite of 
the old Catamount Tavern ; No. 3 the Burial Ground and Church ; 
and No. 4. the Centennial Grounds. The place of the Stores and 
Store Houfe which Baum was fent to capture is not indicated, but it 
was not far from the extreme right of the main street, beyond the 
Catamount Tavern and on the other fide of the way. 

In the enlarged plan of the grounds let apart for the Celebration, 
the " Reviewing Stand " is the place occupied by the Prefident and 
Suite at the Great Review — the dotted line palling it indicating the 
route of the column of troops and war veterans reviewed. 



14 



In like manner was Connecticut reprefented — and 
New York — and Maine — and Rhode-ifland. To 
crown the whole of this proud difplay of the power 
and dignity of our country, came The President 
of the United States and his Cabinet of diftin- 
guifhed men ! 

The little village of Bennington may never again 
enjoy fuch a fpectacle. Perhaps never again will 
her hofpitalities be taxed as now. To feed and 
lodge and care for her 50,000 vifitors, having repre- 
fentatives from nearly every State in the Union, 
was a gigantic undertaking for a hamlet of 5000 
fouls. Yet (he accomplished this undertaking to 
the fatisfaclion of every reafonable vifitor. Like 
the magic tent of the eaftern, Caliph, which enlarged 
and fpread itfelf to fuit the demands of the occafion, 
her refources multiplied to the extent of the emer- 
gency, and the refult was a triumphant fuccefs. 
The panoramic view of the village, the encamp- 
ment, and the thronging multitudes was fimply 
magnificent. The fpectator from the fummit of 
Mount Anthony could take in at a glance, the cofy 
cottage within its fhadow where the Prefidential 
party found quiet and reft a long diftance from oth- 
er habitations ; the village of Bennington Centre, 
(old Bennington,) and Bennington, whofe beautiful 
refidences from village centre to circumference were 
literally filled with their myriad guefts ; and the tent- 
ed field, where the military of four States were en- 
camped, flanked by the tents of the Grand Army, 
the Great Tents where the fervices of the Celebra- 
tion were to take place, and the thoufand other tents 



NOTES 



— o — 




The battle-field, feven miles away, was vifited this anniverfary 
morning by a party of feven including the writer. It is' fuppofed this 
was the only party that vifited the ground that day. The furround- 
ings were lefs warlike than a hundred years before — a flock of flieep 
occupying the field where the horde of Heffians had defiantly en- 
trenched themfelvesT No remains of the fortifications are extant, 
no marked fpot where the killed were buried — nothing to indicate 
the fanguinary combat of a century ago. A few canes* were cut as 
mementos of the day and the vifit, in all probability the only ones 
cut on the field that hundredth anniverfary day. 

Four grand daughters of Gen. Stark were prefent, among them 
Abby, who refided with him at the time of his death. 

Two grand daughters of Col. Warner were alfo there, refidents of 
the Province of Quebec. 

Parfon Allen was reprefented by his grandion, Rev. John Wheel- 
ock Allen of Connecticut, who offered the prayer at the celebration. 



i5 



where the people had repofed in peaceful (lumber 
with none to moleft or make them afraid. Thofe 
who faw, will not forget the beautiful picture which 
was here prefented to the vifion, with its back- 
ground of mountain and hill-fide, and its frame- 
work of encircling horifon. 

The day was ufhered in by a falute from the very 
guns that a hundred years ago that morning, from 
the fortified heights of the Waloomfac, saluted old 
John Stark and his compatriots with a mower of 
grape and canifter. Then, they fpake a fharp and 
ftern defiance — but this anniverfary morning, their 
voices feemed the very utterance of a cheerful wel- 
come as the echoes mellowed and melted together 
from hill and valley around. By-and-by, came the 
Grand Proceflion, winding its way among the ftreets 
of the hofpitable village, under the triumphal arches, 
paft the memorable fpots, and the decorated refi- 
dences, to the field of review and difmiffal, and 
the place where fpeech, both " filvern and golden," 
was to add its charms to the delights of the occa- 
lion. 

It was a grand ovation which the crowded ftreets 
prefented, and which found utterance in continuous 
cheering, as the carriage of the President approach- 
ed and its occupant was recognized by the people — 
his manlike and well-developed figure filling the 
eye as the very perfonification of the power and 
place to which the people had called him. Then 
came the Cabinet, and a long retinue of Governors 
and Legifiators, Judges, Senators and Representa- 
tives, men of national fame, whom the people delight 



NOTES 
— o — 




Prefident Hayes laid : — 

"I am grateful for this greeting. I am greatly obliged to thole who 
have had charge of this celebration, for their courtefy in giving me the 
opportunity to enjoy with them the ceremonies ol the day. I am 
quite fure that none of us will ever forget this notable event — the 
Battle of Bennington — an event that contributed fo much toward the 
national independence. I am fure we feel that it has been fully cel- 
ebrated to-day. Think of the procelTion that we beheld only an 
hour or two ago — the citizen foldiery from Vermont, from Connect- 
icut, and from Maffachufetts ! New-hamplhire, of courfe, was there ! 
( Applaufe.) But more touching and more interelling than them all, 
the long proceffion of the veterans of the Union Army — the furviv- 
ors of the 1 200 battles that faved the Union, and made liberty 
throughout the world poflible. And what eye was not dimmed as 
he law, proudlv marching with his comrades, that maimed loldier 
walking with his crutch ! 

But, my dear friends, I mull not detain you. I recognize that 
among the pages of the oration to which we have liltened, packed 
lull as each pige was with interelling matter touching on the great 
event of one hundred years ago, no page was more valuable than that 
which referred to the minute men. If it was meritorious to be a 
minute man to light in the caufe of independence, is there not fome 
merit in being a minute man now?" (Applaufe.) 



i6 



to honor and would have delighted to know, had 
there been fome means devifed of breaking through 
the delicacy that hedged them in, and of faying to 
the people " this is the carriage of Secretary this, 
or Governor that, or General the other," and thefe 
following on foot are "the Judges and Congreffmen 
and Legiflators of MalTachufetts," or of fome other 
State. Then the people would have been fatisfied. 
and ever after each could proudly fay, "with my own 
eyes have I feen thefe men !" 

Interfperfed along the proceflion appeared repre- 
fentatives of the military arm of the States that 
joined in the celebration. Confpicuous among them 
were the " Veterans " from the home of Stark, in 
the likenefs of the regimentals he wore, as dreffed 
with the neatnefs and precifion of the well-bred 
gentleman of a century ago, he went forth to win 
victory or an honorable grave. There were the 
" Phalanx " from Hartford, named for the Connecti- 
cut hero, Putnam, the friend and companion of 
Stark, and dreffed in the uniform fo fittingly worn 
by him who was " firft in war, firft in peace, and 
firft in the hearts of his countrymen," the great 
Washington ! — preceded by a corps of drummers 
and fifers whofe fhrill and appropriate mufic plainly 
faid, in the fpirit of the old-time fong, 

" We'll play them Yankee Doodle 

As the Yankees did Burgoyne ! 
And we'll make them for to furrender, 

As Old Stark did Col. Bau-um!" 

Confpicuous in the proceffion were nearly five 
thoufand of the furvivors of Vermont's heroic reg- 



NOTES 



— o — 

The Attorney General, Gen. Devlns, told a flory bearing on the 
events celebrated at this anniverfary. He faid: — " It was fomething 
more than thirty years ago that I, a young lawyer, was invited to 
deliver a 4th of July oration before my fellow citizens at Brattleboro. 
There were Mill up to that time a few of the furvivors of the great 
revolutionary army, three or four of whom were waiting in the ho- 
tel where I was Hopping, with my oration fimmering infide of me, 
a great deal embarraSfed as I am now. (Applaufe.) Constitutional 
baShfulnefs I lhall never get over. There came in to thefe three or 
four old gentlemen a fine, hearty old gentleman, lomewhat younger 
than they, but considerably over 70. 'Gentlemen,' fays he, £ I 
am not a revolutionary foldier, but mould like to ride with the revo- 
lutionary foldiers to-day. I would like to explain my pofition, and 
aSk if I have not a right.' Of courfe they readily gave him permis- 
fion. He went on to fay that when he was a boy about eight 
years old, his father kept a ferry fomewhere on Lake Champlain — 
at Putnam or Windham, I think. There came to the river to crofs, 
while his father was away and he was at home alone, two men, one 
of whom feemed of Superior rank to the other. They were evi- 
dently foldiers, though there was little uniform worn by the men in 
revolutionary times. They wifhed to crofs the ferry, and faid thev 
mull crofs. He faid he was only a boy and could not row the boat 
acrofs. If they aflilled him he could not get back. Thev faid they 
would help him to crofs and fome of the neighbors would help him 
back. He undertook it, and when he had croffed to the other fide, 
he faid to the luperior gentleman, ' When my father comes home I 
Should like to tell him who I have rowed acrols the ferry.' ' Well,' 
laid he, ' you may tell him it was John Stark !' He faid that fix 
weeks after he heard of the battle of Bennington. ' And now,' 
faid he, ' I have a claim, as I was the boy who rowed John Stark 
acrofs the ferry to fight the battle oS Bennington, and I Should like 
to ride with you revolutionary foldiers.' Of courfe, they anfwered 
that he was a good enough revolutionary foldier for them, as he was 
but eight years old at the time of the battle." 



17 



iments in the late war, to whom the President paid 
a moft feeling and graceful tribute in his brief 
fpeech following the Centennial Oration. 

Need mention be made at length of the review 
of the foldiers and veterans of the late war, giving 
each man a chance to fee the President of the 
United States and his Cabinet, and, as fhe was 
facetioufly introduced, the " President's Molly 
Stark !" Need mention be made here of the mas- 
terly oration of Prefident Bartlett of Dartmouth 
College, of the fpeeches before and after the Dinner 
by the honored and trufted men of the time. Are 
not all thefe hiftoric ? Are they not daguerreo- 
typed upon metal, multiplied by the printing prefs, 
and fcattered wide in the land, 

" Thick as leaves in Valambrofa ?" 



The clofing record of the day would feem to be 
made up by the gathering together of the hiftoric 
incidentals of the place and the occafion. 

ist. The Battle-Fields. Thefe lie about five 

miles from Bennington, as the crow flies, but feven miles by the 
travelled way. A hundred years have almolt blotted out the memory 
of their location among the people of that goodly town ; and there 
are but a very few who can point them out to the curious vifitor. 
The (kirmiming on the 14th was along the valley of the Waloomfac, 
eaft, and within the line of Vermont, in which the Heffians loll 30 
in killed and wounded. The place which Col. Baum fortified and 
where was fought the firft battle on the 1 6th of Auguft, 1777, is a 
hill of confiderable elevation, and which (huts in the valley on the 
weft and forms the military key to its pofTeffion. The Waloomfac 



NOTES 



— o — 

Secretary Evarts, who had made the longer! fpeech of any man 
in America, faid: — Mr. Prefident, ladies and gentlemen, it is fair that 
I fhould warn you, that although I am very flow in beginning a fpeech 
I am much flower in ending it, and I know that your only fafety is 
in my retiring before I commence." 

Poftmafter General Key, who had been a confederate Brigadier, 
on being called on, faid : — " My dear friends, this call is grateful to 
me. I do not accept it as a perfonal compliment to myfelf, but as 
an indication of fraternal feeling on the part of our Northern friends 
towards their 'erring Southern brethren.'" 

Mr. Key has been unmercifully abufed by fome of his thin-fkinned 
southern friends for the above brief remark. Had the two quotation 
marks enclofing the three laft words been placed in the printed re- 
port, as they manifellly fhould have been, there would have been no 
reafon for their fenfitivenefs. 




JEKlP' The remaining pages of Notes will be devoted to incidents, 
anecdotes, &c, pertaining to the times of the battle, and having no 
efpecial reference to the text on the oppofite pages. 

Moles Robinfon, a Colonel in the battle, was the fecond Govern- 
or of Vermont. 

Rev. Jedediah Dewey was paftor of the Bennington church, and 
preached a war fermon on the Sabbath previous to the battle. 

Capt Dewey of the Waloomfac Tavern was fon of the minifler. 

The grave of Col. Nathaniel Bufh, who commanded the Benning- 
ton militia, is unmarked and unknown. 

Among the Berkfhire troops there was a company of the civilized 
Stockbridge Indians, who were among the mofl valuable of Stark's 
fcouts. 



i8 



river bends around its front and in a meafure protects its fteep eaftern 
fide from approach. It lies within the lines of the State of New 
York as adjuited in later times, but in the limits of difputed jurifdic- 
tion at the time of the battle. The fight with Col. Breyman, who 
came to Baum's relief, took place the fame day about a mile to the 
well of the place of the firft battle, and near the railroad depot at 
North Hoofic. The mill at Cambridge, a few miles further welt, 
is llill Handing and llill ufed as a mill, where Baum captured five 
Americans and much flour and fait, writing to Burgoyne the news ol 
his fuccefs on the head of a barrel within its doors. It is doubtful 
if Burgoyne ever received any portion of the capture. 

2D. The Place where Col. Baum died. This 

is or was a wooden houfe about a mile eaft of the battle-field, on the 
Bennington road. It is not now Handing — but the cellar and the 
rubbifh once comprifing the ftrutture ftill mark the place. Here 
Major Pfiefter, who commanded the tories, was carried on the back 
of one of Stark's veterans, and died of his wounds within a few hours 
of his commander. Both were buried on the banks of the Waloom- 
fac, near by, but the place of their burial is now unknown. 

3D. The Camp of Gen. Stark on that rainy 15th 

of Augull, i» about a mile or a mile and a half fouth of the Baum 
houfe, up the hill on the road to old Bennington. It is now an 
orchard — then a little clearing in the foreft. Here it was that Par- 
fun Allen, as he rode up in the rain with his men of Berkfhire, juft 
in the edge of the evening, affured Stark that unlefs he " gave them 
a chance to fight this time, they never would turn out again !" He 
was afked if "he defired to march now, in the dark and rain!" 
"No, not jull at this moment," faid Allen. Then Stark affured him 
" that if the Lord would give them funfhine in the morning, he 
fhould have fighting to his heart's content !" and the old Parfon went 
to his bivouac fatisfied. 

4TH. Where Stark made his Speech. This 

fpot, as marked by the authorities, was fome twenty rods from the 
place of encampment, and en the road where the line was evidently 
formed for the march. One authority fays he was on horfeback 
during its delivery. Another authority declares it to have been from 
the fence on the weft of the road — "Stark leaped to the topmoft rail, 



NOTES 



— o 

Parfon Allen fought as a private. When his regiment was about 
to attack the tory breaft-work, he Hepped forward within fpeaking 
diftance and exhorted his mifguided countrymen to furrender. The 
anfwer came in the guife of a volley of mufketry. Confidering his 
duty done as a clergyman and a man of peace, he made bare the arm 
of flefh, and proceeded to do his duty as a foldier in the " militant" 
fenfe. " Joe, you load and I'll fire !" he faid to his young brother, 
becaufe he was the better markfman of the two ; and the tories found 
the new method of exhortation so conclufively convincing that they 
fled like fheep for the Heffian fold on the hill-top. His example 
was an efpecial infpiration to the Berklhire men. When alked if he 
fuppofed he had killed any of the enemy in the fight, " I don't 
exaftly know that I killed any one," was the reply, " nor indeed 
how near I came to it. It was jufl this way — off fome diftance I 
obferved a clump of bulhes from which arole every now and then a 
little cloud of fmoke, preceded by a momentary flaih and the fharp 
report of a gun. I noticed too, that one of our men fell, either 
wounded or dead every time this phenomenon occurred, fo I natural- 
ly concluded that fomething was wrong for our fide. I loaded up 
very carefully, and fired into the midft of that clump of bufhes. I 
am not certain, mind you, that I did really kill any one — but I know 
I put out that flap /" 

Mr. Crittenden told with great gufto of a buihwhacking Vermont- 
or who joined the Berkfhire troops juft as the battle begun, saying, 
" I want to fight in the ranks of the bold Stark !" and he was told 
to fall in and fire. This he did with great zeal. The perfpiration 
rolled off" his face, but he loaded and fired with the beft of them, 
remarking, " This is the hotteft work I ever did !" 

Lieut. Parker of Lenox has defcribed the rout of the tories, who 
fled from their breaftworks before the fierce attack of the patriots. 
They fought to climb the fteep acclivity, and were (hot down relent- 
lefsly. "I could not have helped laughing at the fight had I known 
I fliould be (hot dead in a minute." 

Capt. Samuel Robinfon, who commanded a company in the fight, 
declared he had forfeited all claims to courage becaufe he " dodged 
a bullet " on that occafion. 



19 

fteadied himfelf by the tall poll, and harrangued his troops in the 
well-known fentences, ' Now, my men, yonder are the Heffians ! 
They were bought for feven pounds tenpence per man ! Are you 
worth more ? Prove it ! To-night the American flag floats over 
yonder hill, or Molly Stark fleeps a widow !' " 

5th. The Continental Store-house, which was 

the objective point of Baum's expedition, flood on the defcending 
flope of the hill at the north end of the village, at the left of the 
road. It was a large flructure, fuppofed to have been fpecially built 
for the purpofe. It was cut up into two or three barns and thus 
difpofed of after the war. A dwelling-houfe, called the " Faflett 
Houfe," occupied its fite up to and after the Centennial Celebration. 
It was burned down Nov. 18, 1877, the fire fuppofed to have been 
the work of an incendiary. 

6th. The Meeting-house, where the Heffian 

prifoners were confined, flood partly in front of the prefent church 
at Bennington Centre. It appears to have been wholly upon the 
common, with roads all around it. The prifoners were fo numer- 
ous, it is faid, that the timbers of the building creaked under the 
great preflure, frightening them into a rufli out of doors to efcape 
from the falling edifice. The guard, thinking this panic a mutiny, 
and a purpofe to efcape, and not underllanding the Heflian outcry of 
danger, fired upon them, killing feveral and wounding more. This 
guard was compofed of Worcefter men belonging to a company- 
commanded by Capt. Jefle Stone of Auburn, Mafs., and this is a 
tradition which comes down from them. They arrived at Benning- 
ton the day after the battle, and were put in charge of the prifoners 
that the tired fighters might reft. They had been ordered to the 
army at Ticonderoga, but that poft having fallen before they reached 
it, they were fent back to reinforce Gen. Stark, with whom they 
ferved out the time of their enliftment. 

7TH. The Cemetery, by the fide of the prefent 

Church, contains the graves of many of the confpicuous heroes of 
the fight. Alfo, the unmarked graves of the Heffians who were kill- 
ed in the panic at the meeting-houfe, and thofe who died in the hos- 
pital after the battle. 

8th. The Place of the Hospital. 



NOTES 



— o — 

One hiftorian has reprefented Gen. Stark as having had a horfe 
{hot under him in the battle. The following is an advertifement 
which appeared in the Connecticut Courant of Tuefday, Oft. 7, 
1777, and it mows what happened to the horfe in the fight : 

TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD. 
^YTOLE from me the fubfcriber, from Walloomfcock, in the time 
^ of aftion, the 1 6th of Auguft. lalt, a brown MARE, five years 
old, had a ftar in her forehead. Alio, a doe fkin feated faddle, blue 
houfing trim'd with white, and a curbed bridle. It is earneftly re- 
quested of all committees of fafetv and others in authority, to exert 
themfelves to recover faid thief and mare, fo that he m,ay be brought 
to juftice, and the mare brought to me ; and the perfon whoever he 
be, mall receive the above reward for both, and for the mare alone 
one-half of that fum. How fcandalous, how dij graceful and ignomin- 
ious mujl it appear to all friendly and generous fouls to have fuch fly, 
artful, defgning villians enter into the field in the time of aclion in order- 
to pillage, pilfer and plunder from their brethren when engaged in battle. 

JOHN STARK, B. D. G. 

Bennington, 11th Sept, 1777. 

It is very poffible Gen. Stark may have been miftaken in iuppofing 
that his horfe was ftolen by fomebody whofe " brethren were engag- 
ed in battle " on the American fide. Is it not moil likely that it was 
taken by fome ikulking indian on retreating torv, who according to 
the laws of war, legally captured it and efcaped. 

A Mr. Crittenden, who was in the battle, and who was a man of 
charafter and focial Handing in Bennington 35 years ago, laid that a 
Britifh officer's wife was (hot while crofling the bridge over the 
Waloomfac on horfeback. She had been fent out to reconnoitre, 
and was fhot on her return. She had undertaken to perform the duty 
of a foldier, and having obtained intelligence too important to be 
carried to her commander, fhe was arretted in her endeavor by a 
mulket ball. She fell as a foldier in doing a foldier's duty. 

A foldier faid of the hardlhips of the day : " My company lay- 
down and flept in a cornfield near where we fought, with the hills of 
corn for pillows. When I awoke next morning I was fo beaten 
out that I could not get up till I had rolled about a good while." 



20 



9TH. The Catamount Tavern, fo named becaufe 

it had a fluffed catamount, which the owner mot while marauding 
on his calf pen, upon its fign poft for a fign, with the head turned 
defiantly toward New York. This Tavern was the head-quarters of 
the Committee of Safety, the Executive power of Vermont in the 
times of the battle. It was here the Heffian officers were entertain- 
ed. A fine picture of the houfe, as it was in 1869, is extant. It 
has fince been burned. A granite monument ltands before the ancient 
fite, to be furmounted by a brazen catamount in memory of this cel- 
ebrated hollelry. 

ioth.. The Waloomsac House, kept in the rev- 
olutionary days, by Capt. Elijah Dewey, who commanded a company 
in the battle. It was the rendezvous of Stark and Allen and the 
leading patriots of that period. 

i ith. The fpot where lived Ethan Allen, who 

took " Old Ti. in the Name of God Almighty and the Continental 
Congress !" 

12TH. The places where flood the Whipping-poft 

and Pillory, by means of which ancient rafcals received their de- 
fervings. 

13H. Where Redding was hung in June, 1777. 

David Redding was a tory, and was executed for " enemical con- 
duct," which undoubtedly confided in treafonable communication with 
the enemy. 



From places of intereft we pafs to the confidera- 
tion of things, — relics of the battle, preferved with 
care, and kept in memory of their heroic owners. 
Moft that we. mention were on exhibition on the day 
of the Centennial, but all are extant and their hifto- 
ry well authenticated. 

1. The Sword of Gen. Stark, now in poffeffion 

of Col. W. S. B. Hopkins of Worcefter, Mass., into whofe hands 



NOTES 



— o — 

Of the 30 American dead Berkfhire loft her full fhare — two from 
Williamftown, Bacon and Johnfo'n — two from Lanesboro, I ; euts. 
Abel Prindle and Haac Nafh, fuppofed to have been fhot by Solomon 
Bennett a tory neighbor — and three from Hancock, Vaughn, Gardner 
and Sweet. 

The Lanesboro' town records contain the following quaint notices 
of their fallen heroes : 

" Lieut. Ifaac Nafh of Lanesborough in the county of Berkfhire 
and State ot Maftachufetts Bay, departed this life on the 1 6th of Au- 
guit, Anno Chrift. 1777, after being fhot through the body at Ben- 
nington, fuppofed to be done by Solomon Bennett, a neighbor and 
townfman of his, a Tory, who like Judas Ifcariot had turned to the 
enemy and betrayed his friends, who a few hours after he received 
his mortal wound, patiently refigned his foul into the hands of Al- 
mighty God that gave it, and left his friends and countrymen to be- 
moan his unhappy fall, as likewiie lb good a friend to the American 
caufe. In his death his wife loft a kind hufband, his children a ten- 
der parent, his friends a good member of fociety, and his country a 
good friend. But we mourn not as one having no hope, for we have 
reafon to believe that he hath exchanged an earthly tabernacle for an 
heavenly diadem. 

" Lieut. Abel Prindle of Lanesborough, in the county of Berkfhire, 
and state of Maftachufetts Bay, departed this life on the 1 6th of Au- 
guft, Anno Chrift. 1777, being fhot through the head at Bennington 
light, iuppoled to be done by one Solomon Bennett, a Tory neighbor 
and townsman of his, who had turned to the enemy, and was found 
under arms and taken prifoner at Bennington light, who confcifed he 
had done his beft endeavor to kill his neighbors. The poor man not 
only received his mortal wound by this infidel, but was taken out of 
time and fent into the eternal world of fpirits inltantaneouflv. that is 
not having one moment's time to think or prepare himfelf for his 
great change ; but we have reafon to believe that God will be mer- 
ciful to thofe who die in fo good a caufe. Thus departed this life 
as good a friend to the American caufe, perhaps, as ever yet was 
born, and we truft there is laid up for him a crown of glory." 



2 I 



it came bv inheritance of his wife. It is a beautiful weapon of 
Spanifh manufacture and of the ftyle of the times, — juit fuch a fword 
as a particularly neat and dreffy officer, fuch as Stark had the reputa- 
tion of being, would efpecially prize. Accompanying this fword, 
was Stark's military account book while a Captain in Maj. Roger's 
Regiment of Rangers in the old French war. 

2. The Sword of Col. Baum, brought from the 

battle field by David Robinfon, is now in poffeffion of one of his de- 
fendants, Geo. W. Robinfon, Esq., of Bennington. Col. Baum's 
hat, taken by Lieut Jewett, is faid to be now in poffeffion of parties 
at Weybridge. Mr. Robinfon alfo has Col. Baum's Camp Kettle, 
a moft unique affair, curioufly conftrufted. How it was ufed is a 
myftery to this day. 

3. The Sword of Col. Thomas Stickney. It 

was worn on the occafion of this Centennial Celebration by Col. 
Jonathan E. Proctor, on the Staff of the Governor of New-hamp- 
fhire. It is now owned by a grandfon of Col. Stickney, Mr. Jofeph 
Stickney of Wilkefbarre, Pa. 

5. A brafs-mounted Sword carried by Lieut. 

Nam, who was mortally wounded in the battle. It is now in pos- 
feffion of the Vermont Hifforical Society. Alfo, the cavalry Sword 
of Elijah Fay. 

6. The Massachusetts Trophies. The Brass 

Drum, Mufket, Cavalry Sword and Grenadier Cap, from the Senate 
Chamber of Maffachufetts, prefented to the State as trophies of the 
Bennington Battle by Gen. Stark. 

7. The Vermont Trophies. The Brafs Drum, 

Cavalry Carbine, Sword and Canteen, prefented to the State of Ver- 
mont as fouvenirs of the battle. 

Similar trophies were fent to New-hampfhire, which cannot be 
found. Roby's hiftory of General Stark, publifhed at Concord in 
1 83 1, (ays, " many years ago the articles were known to be boxed 
and in the care of the Commiffary General. Inquiry has lately been 
made at Portfmouth, and the articles cannot be found ! It is report- 
ed that they were fold at auction feveral years ago !" 



NOTES. 

We remember to have feen the following in fome one of the read- 
ing books ufed in the Ichools forty years ago : 

" Another tory was Richard Jacldon. He had conicientioufly 
adopted the Britifh fide, and, though he had not apparently reached 
Baum's forces when he was captured, admitted himfelf to be a tory. 
He was taken to Great Barrington, then the fhire town of Berkfhire, 
and given over to Gen. Fellows the high fheriff. The county jail 
was a weak place, but Jackfon not only did not attempt to efcape but 
was allowed by the fheriff to work outfide the jail limits during the 
day, he returning regularly at night. Gen. Fellows, who knew his 
perfect honefty, permitted this courfe to continue during the fall and 
winter. In May, Jackfon was to be tried for high treafon at Spring- 
field, and as the fheriff* was preparing to take him there, the prifoner 
suggefted that he could fave him that trouble by going on foot and 
alone. This was permitted and Jackfon began his tramp. He was 
met in the Tyringham woods by Timothy Edwards, who afked him 
where he was going. "To Springfield, fir, to be tried for my life !" 
was the anfwer, and the honefl fellow delivered himfelf to the au- 
thorities, was tried, convicted and condemned to death. The Coun- 
cil of Maffachufetts, at this time the supreme executive of the ftate, 
was afked to pardon Jackfon. The facts in the cafe were Mated, and 
the queition was afked each one, " Shall a pardon be granted to 
Richard Jackfon ?" One after another of the members fpoke againft 
a pardon as impolitic at a time when an example of feverity feemed 
to be needed. Mr. Edwards gave his opinion lalt, and in giving it 
ilated the incident of meeting Jackfon in the woods of Tyringham. 
It took the Council by furprile, and affected them to tears. "Surely," 
said one, "such a man as this fhould not be fent to the gallows !" 
and the pardon was uRanimoufly granted. 



22 



8. Two Brass Cannon in the poffeffion of the 

State of Vermont, which were captured from Baum and Breyman. 
The falutes of the day were fired from thefe pieces. The two oth- 
er cannon captured in the Bennington battles, were furrendered to 
the Britim at Detroit, in the war of 1812. The American infcrip- 
tion upon them, " Taken at Bennington, Auguft 16, 1777," was fup- 
plemented by the Britifti in an additional line, " Retaken at Detroit, 
Auguft 16, 1 81 2." They were carried by the Britilh to Fort 
George, on the Niagara River, and again taken by the American 
forces when that fortrefs was captured. In 1831 thefe guns were at 
Walhington. Where they are to-day, is an undetermined and unan- 
fwered queftion. 

9. Two Powder Horns, one of which was pick- 
ed up on the battle field immediately after the battle by Samuel Cul- 
ver, on which are portrayed in exquifite workmanfhip, almoft every 
military poft from New York city to the northern-moil fources of the 
Hudfon river. Prefented by J. McBreen, Esq., of Wells, Vt. 

10. A Punch Bowl, brought to the Catamount 

Tavern by the Britifh officers confined there as prifoners of war, 
and left by them on their departure. 

11. Portraits, — of Col. Simonds, who led the 

Berkfhire militia ; David Robinfon and Samuel Safford, foldiers in 
the battle ; Samuel Fay of the Catamount Tavern ; Benjamin Har- 
wood, the firft white child born in Bennington ; and a fplendid 
painting of Col. Noah Lee, who commanded the Americans at the 
battle of Skeensboro', (now Whitehall,) capturing Col. Skeene, the 
tory leader, and difperfing his forces. 

12. A Few Shreds of Silk from the Battle-flag 

of the Helhan Dragoons, captured at Bennington, in the poffeffion 
of Rev. R. M. Luther of Bennington, and prefented to him by C. 
J. Gillis, Esq., of New York, a grandfon of Gen. Stark. Mr. Gillis 
has a fmall piece of the flag, with a portion of the lettering on it. 
It has never been out of the family, coming to him from his mother 
a daughter of Gen. Stark. 

13. Cannon Balls, and Shot, fired from the 

guns on exhibition and found on the battle field. 



NOTES 
— o — 




" Molly Put the Kettle on !" 

Down at Hancock, the wife of Lieut. James Smith walked the 
high mountain at the northealt of the town during the day, liftening 
to the roar of the far-off battle. As night approached, the wife felt 
a prefentiment of her hufband's fafety and fpeedy return. She has- 
tened home and faid, " Molly put the kettle on, for Jamie's coming 
home to-night !" — and fo he did, having been granted a furlough for 
one night. 

John Fay, who was a great favorite among the Bennington people 
was fhot in the middle ot his forehead. His laft words were " I feel 
I am fighting in a good caufe." The cry, "John Fay is dead !" 
rouled his comrades to fury — they rufhed upon the enemy, flormed 
the breaftwork, and contributed bv their headlong and revengeful 
valor to the great remit. 

Leonard Robinlon was a " dead fhot," and pious vvithall. Every 
time he fired upon a foe he " prayed God to have mercv on the 
man's soul, and then he took care of his body." 

JeiTe Field faid the attack on Breyman's men was like firing into a 
flock ot fheep. The Americans were protected by trees and could 
mow down the enemy. 

Eleazer Hawks was at home with his fick wife when the firing be- 
gun. He took his mufket and fought on his own hook, as did hun- 
dreds of others. 



2 3 



14. A Painting of the Village of Bennington 

as it was in 1799, formerly owned by Capt. Dewey and now owned 
by John Vandefpiegel, Esq., of Bennington. It has the Old Meet- 
ing-houfe, Court Houfe and about 30 other buildings reprefented. 

15. Other Relics exhibited, and not particular- 
ly connected with the event celebrated : 

[. A 12-pound cannon ball found upon the field at Fort George ; 
a muflcet ball found in the debris of old Fort Dummer at Charles- 
town, N. H., probably fired by the enemy in the old French war ; 
two red coats ; fide arms worn by muficians ; a chapeau worn in his 
early days by Gen. David Robinfon ; a map of Vermont, drawn by 
Whitlaw in 1 796, found at the refidence of Ethan Allen ; pay-rolls 
and commiflions more than a century old ; valuable papers relating to 
the Allen family ; a mammoth family bible, belonging to the Brandt 
family of Hoofick, N. Y., containing a family record for 200 years. 

2. A Table, made apparently of African rofewood, very dark 
and beautiful. It came over in the Mayflower. It was the property 
of the father of Peregrene White, the firft child born at Plymouth. 
It is now owned by Superintendent Hobart of the Vermont Central 
Railroad, and is exhibited by Rev. R. M. Luther. 

3. A Carving Knife, fafhioned from a fword of General Ifrael 
Putnam, the ivory handle being the original Iword-grip. This 
fword was divided into two parts by two of his fons, the older tak- 
ing the handle and upper part of the blade. This, with the more 
than uiual utilitarianifm of New England, he ground down into a 
very poor carving knife. It is owned by Mrs. Dr. Morgan of North 
Adams, Mafs. Exhibited by Rev. R. M. Luther. 

4. An English Musket, captured from one of Pitcairn's marines 
at Bunker Hill by William Billings of North Stonington, Conn. He 
was bayoneted by the marine and brought to the ground ; an Amer- 
ican officer parting on the retreat cut the Englifhman down with his 
fword ; Billing's comrades dragged him away, he clinging to the gun, 
which he ufeH through the war. It is a very fine fpecimen. It has 
the mark of a fabre-cut on the barrel. Its prefent owner is Rev. R. 
M. Luther of Bennington, who has a lift of its pofleflors from the 
original William Billings down. 

Mr. Luther has alfo an original Deed by William Penn, and an 
autograph letter and cheque of General Henry Lee, the father of the 
rebel commander-in-chief in the late civil war. 



NOTES 



Mr. BRYANT'S ODE. 

The following Ode was written by the venerable William Cul- 
len Bryant, for the occafion of the Centennial Celebration. Al- 
though an o&ogenarian, his words have the martial ring of the man 
of forty, who has feen bayonets croffed and fields loft or won. 

On this fair valley's grafly breaft, 
The calm, fweet rays of fummer reft, 
And dove-like peace benignly broods 
On its fmooth lawns and folemn woods. 

A century fince, in flame and fmoke, 
The ftorm of battle o'er it broke, 
And, ere the invader turned and fled, 
Thefe pleafant fields were ftrewn with dead. 

Stark, quick to a£t and bold to dare, 
And Warner's mountain band were there, 
And Allen, who had flung the pen 
Afide to lead the Berkfhire men. 

With fiery onfet — blow on blow — 
They ruftied upon the embattled foe 
And lwept his fquadrons from the vale, 
Like leaves before the autumn gale. 

Oh never may the purple ftain 
Of combat blot thefe fields again, 
Nor this fair valley ever ceafe 
To wear the placid fmile of peace. 

Yet here, befide that battle-field, 
We plight the vow that, ere we yield 
The rights for which our fathers bled, 
Our blood (hall fteep the ground we tread. 

And men will hold the memory dear 
Of thofe who fought for freedom here, 
And guard the heritage they won 
While thefe green hill-fides feel the fun. 



